Maintenance of Time and Frequency in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Deep Space Network Using the Global Positioning System
Abstract
The Deep Space Network (DSN), managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA, must maintain time and frequency within specified limits in order to accurately track the spacecraft engaged in deep space exploration. The DSN has three tracking complexes, located approximately equidistantly around the earth. Various methods are used to coordinate the clocks among the three complexes. These methods include Loran-C, TV Line 10, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS is becoming increasingly important because of the accuracy, precision, and rapid availability of the data; GPS receivers have been installed at each of the DSN complexes and are used to obtain daily time offsets between the master clock at each site and LTC (USNO/NBS). Calculations are made to obtain frequency offsets and Allan variances. These data are analyzed and used to monitor the performance of the hydrogen masers that provide the reference frequencies for the DSN Frequency and Timing System (DFT). This paper contains: (1) a brief history of the GPS timing receivers in the DSN, (2) a description of the data and information flow, (3) data on the performance of the DSN master clocks and GPS measurement system, and (4) a description of hydrogen maser frequency steering using these data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA497950
Entities
People
- A. Kirk
- P. A. Clements
- S. E. Borutzki
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology